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Flood investigations

As the Lead Local Flood Authority one of our responsibilities is a duty to investigate flood events that happen in our area

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As the Lead Local Flood Authority one of our responsibilities is a duty to investigate flood events that happen in our area

IntroductionThe need to investigateDownloads

Introduction

As the Lead Local Flood Authority for Somerset, one of our responsibilities is a duty to investigate flood events that happen in our area, as we deem necessary.

Section 19 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 outlines that:

(1) On becoming aware of a flood in its area, a lead local flood authority must, to the extent that it considers it necessary or appropriate, investigate:

(a) which risk management authorities have relevant flood risk management functions, and

(b) whether each of those risk management authorities has exercised, or is proposing to exercise, those functions in response to the flood.

(2) Where an authority carries out an investigation under subsection (1) it must:

(a) publish the results of its investigation, and

(b) notify any relevant risk management authorities.

The need to investigate

The need to investigate a particular flood is decided case-by-case, considering factors such as the likely source of the flood and the number of properties affected. Generally, these reports will include the following:

  • background information about the location
  • a summary of the event
  • consideration of the likely causes
  • an indication of the roles and responsibilities of each risk management authority and action taken or proposed
  • recommendations arising from the investigation

The results of any flood investigations that we undertake will be published on this page.

We have a lot of very detailed information about the areas of Somerset that are at risk of flooding, but we would like your help to inform our work. If you have experienced flooding in Somerset, and have information, pictures or video footage that you would be happy to share with us, we would be very pleased to hear from you. Please send any relevant information to flooding@somerset.gov.uk

We will use the information you provide to form a detailed picture of flood risk across Somerset. This will help us understand the communities that are at greatest risk and allow measures to be put in place to prevent the risks where possible. It will also help the communities involved to consider necessary precautions to safeguard their land and properties.

Downloads

Last updated: July 2, 2024

Next review due: January 2, 2025

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